Local heroes give kids a holiday to remember

For 130 kids from Spokane and Kootenai counties, last weekend's Holidays and Heroes event was a day just for them. They were taken shopping for Christmas presents for their families by sheriff’s deputies, police, firemen, detectives and more, followed by gifts galore at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.

“It’s just my favorite event that I’ve ever done in my entire life, which is why I can’t let go of it,” said Andrea Shanklin, a volunteer since 2015. “It is a passion at this point.”

Holidays and Heroes pairs local service people with kids from the community to escort them on a shopping spree to build memories and joy for Christmas.

Capt. Mark Brantl of the Post Falls Police Department was paired with Harlon Fitch to find presents for his mom and sister.

“He was really quiet at first but he started to warm up to my dad,” said Katelyn Brantl. “They had a list of what they were trying to find.”

The Brantls found an assortment of things for Harlon's family, but had a hard time locating a raccoon.

“He’s a tough customer. He wouldn’t accept anything other than a rat or raccoon for his sister,” Brantl said.

While he was distracted shopping, Katelyn and her brother Jacob were tasked to find what Harlon wanted for Christmas, after careful prying from their father.

“That’s the big thing – over the years I’ve done this the kids want to make sure their family gets something and they're all about their family,” Brantl said. “They don’t think about themselves whatsoever. And so most of the time ... trying to get them to tell me what they want is usually pretty difficult. So it’s fun for me to try to get a little bit out of them, and send my kids to go get it.”

The Brantls and Harlon were finally able to locate a rat as a stand-in for a raccoon in one of three giant piles of stuffed animals waiting for the kids when they returned from shopping.

After finding a new stuffed animal, children could paint ornaments, sip hot chocolate and eat candy canes. There was a photo booth for pictures with Santa and elves, and gift bags of all kinds from local sponsors.

“They're here so that we can give them a better Christmas, basically,” Shanklin said. “And it makes them really happy to come and have a unique adventure.”

Kids came to the event center in waves, and their presents were then gift-wrapped at one of 14 tables. While the presents were wrapped, children could choose from 135 blankets made by the Love-Day Ladies from the Lutheran Trinity Church in Coeur d’Alene, or make crafts and decorations with volunteers.

“In this situation, it’s just about the kids,” said Marla Montagne, a Post Falls teacher and volunteer. “It’s like an all-day party.”

Local police pulled out the stops for the holiday celebration when they brought in a SWAT truck, a helicopter, police cars and fire department trucks for kids to explore and experience.

“It’s a way to help local families and help the community, and give to others who don’t have,” said Marcie Galloway, a volunteer wrapper who works with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. “Once you do it once, you get hooked.”

At the end of the afternoon, each child brought home a box of food for a Christmas feast, which they got to deliver in a squad car or other service vehicle.

“I leave here with my heart very full,” Shanklin said. “I love dancing around with friends and family, but most of all I love watching the kids come in, and they have all this wonder and amazement on their faces. It’s just surprise after surprise. And they’re happy.”